If Trump, as I suspect, is not quite the unmitigated fool he often gives the impression he is, it is highly likely that he is telling an expedient lie to smooth Putin's ruffled feathers - for the sake of better future Russia-US relations. The USA has been no innocent when it comes to meddling in Russia's affairs ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union (read David Goldman's latest). So why should not Russia abide by the same moral standard set by the US?

If Trump, as I suspect, is not quite the unmitigated fool he often gives the impression he is, it is highly likely that he is telling an expedient lie to smooth Putin's ruffled feathers - for the sake of better future Russia-US relations. The USA has been no innocent when it comes to meddling in Russia's affairs ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union (read David Goldman's latest). So why should not Russia abide by the same moral standard set by the US?

It is even more likely that Trump is telling a lie because he was told to by the guy that got him elected!